Throw-in Play
- An endplay maneuver during the play of the last few cards, where the
player on lead plays a low card to an opponent guarding one or more suits.
With the opponent now on lead, one of the cards previously held over their right
hand opponent now becomes a loser. Also see
Strip and Endplay.

x x x

K x A

x x x

A Q x

Tenace Throw-in -
Placing one's left hand opponent on the lead near the end of play,
forcing the opponent holding honors over the the leader to play into
leader's hand. South plays a low Diamond which West must win.
Having been throw-in, West now loses both Heart tricks.

x x x

A K x

x x x

x x x

Trump Throw-in -
Sometimes known as an Elimination Play, an opponent is thrown-in the
lead thus allowing a ruff and sluff (discard). Assume Diamonds are
trump - South plays a low Heart, forcing an opponent to gain lead who
hopefully is out of trump. Here West must return a Heart, allowing
North/South to pitch a Spade from one hand and ruff from the other hand.

x x x x

J K x x

Q x x x

10 9 A Q

Double Elimination
Throw-in - The situation where throwing either player into the lead
wins additional tricks. Assume Spades are trump and South deduces
West has the Club King behind the declarer's tenaces. South plays
a Diamond and West must play the stiff Jack. If East overtakes the
Diamond with the Queen attempting to prevent an endplay, East has
promoted South's remaining Diamond. Either way, South makes 3
tricks here.

10 x A x x x

Q J x x J
x

10 x x Q x x

Q x K 10 9 x

Phantom Elimination
Throw-in - A situation where opponents erroneously fear some type of
elimination, making an incorrect line of play. Assume Hearts are
trump and West is on lead, perceiving declarer would profit from a ruff
and sluff on a Spade lead. Instead, West makes a faulty low
Diamond lead, allowing declarer to take all remaining tricks. On
this hand, a Spade lead entitles opponents to a Diamond trick.